Safety swim belt



Nov. 4, 1941. G. KERNCHE N ,3 SAFETY SWIM BELT Filed June 24, 1940 9 G-uSYm/E KEEA/a/E/v.

Patented Nov. 4, 1941 omrso STATES SAFETY SW11 BELT Gustave Kernchen, Baltimore, Application June 24, 1940,.Serial*l Io."342,(il7 2 Claims. (01. 9417i I This invention refers to lifesavers or lifebuoys suitable for use on marine or inland waters for supporting individuals from sinking or drowning. The objects of the invention include the following features:

(1) To provide a life-buoy avoiding the use of cork, balsa wood and other vegetable materials that have a known high degree of buoyancy;

' (2) To provide a buoy that can be made of metal or plastics or other solid materials capable of being formed to desired shapes for use as life- (3) To have it of a lightness comparable'with cork, but of stronger structure and-capacity to withstand the ravages of time and natural conditions;

(4) To provide a form more convenient to use, as well as being fire-proof and easy to pack away;

(5) To have it of a form and nature that facilitates its being seen in the dark;

(6) That will have features of flexibility, making it more adaptable to all sizes of persons without affecting its eflectiveness;

('7) That will be separated into units'capable' of working individually and independently, should some of the other units become damaged or out of commission;

(8) To have the units of the invention arranged so that they can be built up to form various combinations suitable for the needs that arise in special cases;

' (9) To have the life-buoys arranged so that they may be packed into a close and compact arrangement when not in use;

(10) To provide for attaching cloth etc. for insulation purposes and keeping the units in proper alignment.

Similar references refer to similar parts throughout the drawing:

Various types of life-buoy structures have been provided in the past, in which the predominant material used was cork. In fact such material still is universally used. This material is difficult to handle, is burnable and is often hard to procure at a low cost. Balsa wood has been proposed, but has similar objections. In this invention, metals such as aluminium or other suitable materials are utilized and permit the device to be made under production arrangements, at alower cost, more uniform in form, fireproof and having other desirable features. The form is designed to displace the waters in which the device is floated to bring about a buoyancy equal to that of cork, and to treat the material so it will be visibl conspicuously on the water.

A form of the invention is shown in the drawing, in which'- V Figure 1 is a front view of a life-buoy embodyingthis invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of one of the buoyancy units used in the life-buoy with its holding fabric belt in section;

v Figure 3 is a front viewof the life-buoy with the units arranged in tandem form:

Figureniis amodified formof buoyancy unit form ofibuoyancy unit, the ,end portions of which are swaged out and welded to attachment pieces.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the drawing.

In the drawing, the reference character I, indicates the cylindrical body of a buoyancy unit which has its end portions closed to make the interior water tight. erably flattened with flanges 8 extended therefrom having holes 3 therein as shown. The flanged portions 2 are staggered in relation to each other on the center line to enable the alternate ends of adjacent flanges to be brought together without making a bulging arrangement.

The units are attached to each other in horizontal rows by having bands of fabric belt 4, perforated and grommet 5, put through the fabric and the holes 3, in the flange portions. The grommets are swaged to tie them in securely together. The units can be arranged in vertical rows as the case may require. The last arrangement permits the connections to be made directly at the flange portions as indicated in Figure 3, the grommets 5 being used to hold the fabric and units together. The fabric belt is mainly intended to insulate the material of the buoyancy units so it will not affect the user, especially if of metal, when contact is made with it. It also forms a flexible connection between the units and enables same to be placed around the body of the individual using same. Rubber pieces I I, are used between the flanges and fabric surface to keep the fabric straight as possible.

In Figure 4, the buoyancy units are connected in tandem together as well as in parallel or horizontal rows. This is done by using the flange portions 8 directly placed on one another. The grommets are then swaged through the flanges. This arrangement eliminates the use of the fabric and the rubber pieces, by using the buoyancy units alone as indicated. The number in a ring OFFICE,

These end portions are prefmay be made to suit the conditions, and the last joining ones can be attached and held to one another through the use of a peg, cotter pin or similar device. The units are made collapsible to permit adjustment in their length. This is done by making the cylinder in two parts 9 and ID. The part 9 is the innermost cylinder, completely closed in, and movable with the outer cylinder part II). The connection between the walls of same is made watertight to prevent leakage and entrance of the water in the outer cylinder.

In Figure 5, the buoyancy unit 2| has its end portions 28, swaged out into flanges formed to take attachment pieces 24 which have holes 23 perforated in same for the same purposes as the holes 3 in the previous constructions. The portions 28 and pieces 24 are preferably welded together and the unit 2| made water tight. The attachment pieces are preferably made in form to give them an offset shape as indicated.

The units in all cases are water-tight, and may be air filled or evacuated. The difierence between the air filled units and evacuated ones, as regards weight, is very small and has no appreciable effect on their buoyancy.

The belt 4 is preferably provided with straps 6 which pass into slots lprovided on the opposite end of the same.

This arrangement is for. closing the belt in a conventional manner. around the user.

While but one general form of the structure of this invention is outlined in this specificationand indicated in the drawing, it is not desired to limit this application for patent to this particular structure, otherwise than necessary, as it is appreciated that other forms could be made using the same principles and coming within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. In a lifebuoy, a plurality of seamless buoyancy units of cylindrical form with their longitudinal end portions formed from the walls of the units swaged together and flanged into a double laminated connection, flat offset attachment pieces inserted within the double laminated connections and welded therein to form water tight joints, said attachment pieces being provided with holes therein and oppositely disposed to each other on opposite ends, and means for connecting the connections together and to extraneous parts of the said lifebuoy through said holes.

2. A life-preserver comprising, a plurality of seamless buoyancy units of cylindrical form with their longitudinal end portions formed from the walls squeezed together in double sided flattened chiseled elements, attachment pieces of offset form of fiat material inserted'and held within iesaid elements and forming a watertight joint therewith, said elements being provided with holestherethrough for the insertion of fastening means, a fabric backing with the said units lined up and attached thereto in predetermined order and arrangement, and means for securing the backing to the body-of a person substantially as described.

GUSTAVE KERNCHEN. 

